Haynes King, the undrafted quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, lived out every player's and fan's dream when he scored a game-winning touchdown with two seconds left on the clock in Thursday night's Hall of Fame game against Arizona.
The game was a thriller, in large part due to King's impressive performance. He had gone 21 of 34 for 180 yards and two touchdowns, without taking a sack or giving up a turnover. King's desperation scramble came as no surprise to Georgia Tech fans, who remember him from his days as a Yellow Jacket. There, King had a habit of solving problems by hurling his body at them, a technique that works remarkably well in the ACC.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales praised King's performance, saying, "Haynes is a fantastic athlete and he just finds a way to win, and that's what he did. Really proud of the group and also proud of the whole team celebrating. That's something we pride ourselves on, celebrating how hard we work on these situations and then watching it come alive." King's teammates were also behind him, celebrating his achievement on the sideline.
For King, the moment was a dream come true. "Growing up, you hear about all these first-ballot Hall of Famers, and to see some of them walking in front of you before the game is pretty amazing," he said. "And to be able to showcase your talent in front of them is a dream come true." King's game-winning touchdown will be a moment he'll remember forever, even if his NFL career is cut short.
The NFL preseason can be a brutal time for players, with season-ending injuries and career-ending cuts a harsh reality. But for King, the opportunity to shine in front of the Panthers' fans and the Pro Football Hall of Famers was a chance to leave a lasting legacy. "It was a dream come true," King said, "to see some of them walking in front of you before the game is pretty amazing."
As for what's next for King, his current spot on the Panthers' depth chart is third, a position that's precarious at best. But for now, he's enjoying the moment, and the Panthers are celebrating his achievement. The team's focus will now shift to the next game, and King will look to build on his impressive performance.
Source: Yahoo Sports